Kaleb Johnson Steelers: RB Determined to Prove He’s No Bust Entering 2026

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson is done looking backward. The 2025 third-round pick out of Iowa is channeling every tough moment from his rookie season into fuel for a stronger 2026 campaign under new head coach Mike McCarthy. At 22 years old, Johnson knows the NFL does not hand out second chances easily, and he is attacking this offseason with a clear mind and extra purpose.

Johnson’s rookie year tested him in ways few expected. A single costly mistake in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks defined much of his first season in the eyes of fans and coaches. He left a kickoff return in the end zone, and the Seahawks recovered it for a touchdown that proved pivotal in the loss. The mental lapse cost him his return duties immediately. Mike Tomlin benched him from special teams for the rest of the year.

Offensively, opportunities stayed scarce. Johnson appeared in just 10 games, finishing with 28 carries for 69 yards and one reception for nine yards on two targets. He never saw more than 11 offensive snaps in any contest and faded from the active roster picture after Week 15.

“There’s ups and downs to football,” Johnson said after a minicamp practice last week. “I feel like that was a down moment for me, but everybody has down moments. I feel like it’s me overcoming that and really just keep my mind straight. Keeping my mind forward and getting ready to go.”

Fresh Start Under Mike McCarthy Brings New Competition

The Steelers’ roster overhaul this offseason has made Johnson’s path to consistent playing time steeper. Kenneth Gainwell, who handled many of the third-down and change-of-pace snaps last season, left in free agency. Pittsburgh responded by signing Rico Dowdle to pair with Jaylen Warren. Dowdle brings the physical, between-the-tackles style that fits the new coaching vision. The team also drafted versatile back Eli Heidenreich in the seventh round and added veteran Travis Homer for pass-catching and special teams value. Fourth-round receiver Kaden Wetjen is expected to lock down return duties.

Those moves leave Johnson fighting for a clear role. Without special teams work, he must earn offensive snaps through superior camp and preseason performances. The new staff has spoken positively about his attitude and work ethic, but talk only carries so far when the depth chart is crowded.

What Johnson Must Show in Camp

Johnson’s own words reveal a player who has absorbed the hard lessons. He is not dwelling on the past. Instead, he is zeroing in on the little things that separate roster players from healthy scratches.

“Right now, it’s just all about me doing little things, getting better, just waiting on my time to come. That’s my main thing that’s been on my mind. Just waiting on my time to come, and my time will come to shine for sure. Adversity, just overcoming stuff like that early on. And really being able to bounce back. Just keep my head straight and keep forward, because stuff like that happens. I’ve just got to take it on the chin and just keep going.”

Those comments carry extra weight this summer. Reports from OTAs and early minicamp show Johnson receiving first-team reps at times and looking sharper in pass protection and receiving drills than he did as a rookie. The physical tools were never the question. At 6-foot-1 and roughly 225 pounds, he has the size and power scouts liked coming out of Iowa. The question is consistency and trust.

Under Mike McCarthy, the backfield philosophy appears built around balance and versatility. Dowdle handles early downs. Warren remains the passing-down specialist. Johnson’s best shot at carving out touches lies in becoming the reliable change-of-pace option who can stay on the field in multiple situations. That requires winning in pass pro, catching the ball cleanly, and showing burst when his number is called.

The Human Side of the Redemption Push

What separates Johnson’s story from simple roster math is the quiet resolve he carries. Plenty of third-round picks struggle in Year 1. Fewer respond by doubling down on the mental side of the game the way he describes. The kid who once put up big numbers at Iowa now understands that NFL success often comes down to how you handle the moments when the ball bounces the wrong way.

Minicamp last week offered a glimpse of that growth. Johnson moved through drills with purpose, the kind of focused energy that stands out when coaches are evaluating every rep. The stakes feel real. An impressive summer could secure him a spot in the rotation or at least regular inactive-list insurance. Anything less and he risks becoming an afterthought again in 2026.

Steelers fans have seen this movie before with young backs who flashed in college only to fight for relevance early in their careers. Johnson is betting on himself that the script can change. He has the size, the vision, and now the hard-earned perspective. The only thing left is the opportunity.

His time, as he put it, will come. The question is whether he seizes it when the pads come on for real in training camp.